Which buoy marks the port side and usually has an odd number?

The buoy that marks the port side of a channel in maritime navigation is the green buoy. These buoys are typically colored green and are associated with odd numbers, which helps mariners remember their significance. In the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) system, the color coding and numbering of buoys provide navigational aids to ensure safe passage through waterways.

Green buoys indicate the port side when entering a harbor, signaling that vessels should keep these buoys on their left side. This is crucial during navigation, especially when considering the safe approach to docks and harbors. The use of odd numbers assists in identifying these buoys easily while at sea, ensuring that vessels maintain proper navigation to avoid collisions and ensure safe passage.

In contrast, the other buoy colors do not denote the port side. Red buoys, for example, signify the starboard side and are numbered with even numbers. Black buoys usually indicate specific hazards and do not correspond directly to the side of a channel. Yellow buoys often serve as caution markers for navigational hazards or to indicate special areas but do not represent standard channel marking like the green buoy.